Chapter 38: Broken Bonds

The two gave death glares directly at each other, not once faltering. The sheer determination coming from both could be felt in the room. Neither would lower their gaze. Finally, after what felt like ages of the tension, James dropped his gaze. "Wow, you're the third person who has been extremely rude today."

Frisk stomped their foot. "Well, maybe you shouldn't randomly appear in my house. That'd be a good start."

"And maybe you should keep a better check on your brother's emotions?" He shot back, the glare intensifying once more. "I mean, I'm only here to fix the mess you've been making."

Frisk pinched the bridge of their nose. "Could you kindly explain what you are doing in my house?" Their patience was definitely dwindling now. "I'd really love an explanation."

Not even worrying about how pissed Frisk was, James leaned back onto the bed behind him. Asriel was currently watching the two in fear of what would happen if one attacked… "Well, here is your explanation…" He began doing jazz hands. "Maaagic." Noticing Frisk was about to go complete genocide on him, he dropped the act. "Alright fine, I was checking in on cinnamon roll here."

"And I'm assuming you were the one who Sans was talking about…" The pieces to who exactly this was clicked. Although, for some strange reason, Frisk didn't feel like they were in any danger at all. This was really odd.

James noticed. However, he knew exactly why Frisk was feeling this way. The fact that they hadn't caught on yet was a good thing. If anyone found out what was really going on, things would get really bad. "Listen Frisk, I saw your brother getting bullied one day. Since then, we ran into each other during certain… events." He scratched his ear uncomfortably. "I'm just checking on his emotional status… that's all."

"Excuse me, but I'm his sibling. I think I can handle this just fine…" Frisk scoffed in annoyance. "Regardless, you shouldn't be trusting a stranger Asriel."

Asriel immediately knew they had just fallen into a death trap. James stood up from where he was sitting, clearly livid. Immediately, Asriel knew what he was just about to say. "Well little buddy…. You obviously haven't been doing your job very well…" Frisk tried to protest, but was quickly stopped by a hand raising to signal that he wasn't done. "Not only that, but your brother would be dust if I wasn't around." The human was completely silent, the enraged monster looming over them. "The fact that you hold yourself so high sickens me. You THINK you have done everything you can. Yet, he still felt the need to end the pain forever." This was just getting out of hand. "Get off your damn high horse and look around you. Your perfect little happy ending with your friends is plagued by you all being so gullible and oblivious to the fact that your brother is falling apart."

Frisk wanted to completely disappear from the room. Those words stung their soul worse than any magical attacks had ever done. "I-I didn't mean-"

"Oh, is this how we are playing now?" James's hand clenched into a tight fist. "You're playing the victim now, how cute. After all, it isn't the first time you've done this…" Bobbing back and forth slightly, he continued his large rant. "I hate to bring you back to reality, but Asriel is currently a wreck. And somehow, I, a random stranger who shows up, ended up giving him more comfort in a day than you did in a bloody month!"

"How would you know all of this?" Even after all those harsh words, they remained determined to somehow think they were trying their best. "Like you said, you showed up a day ago and you already think you know more about him than us! I've known Asriel for more than a lifetime and I can assure you he'll be f-"

"NO." The tone of James's voice shocked both Frisk and Asriel to their core. Shadows were covering his eyes. "If you think he is perfectly fine. If you think you can still help him with empty words… then I'll take my leave."

"Then get out!" Frisk screamed, pointing towards the door. "I won't let you tell me about my brother who I have known forever."

"And I won't let him die!" He bit his lip, trying to contain the anger boiling in his soul. "If I find him on that cliff again, I will not stand for this at all!" His fangs were visibly showing. Now, Frisk felt in immense danger. "This has gone too far and you haven't even considered one small possibility that could change this all back. Oh wait, you're to blind to see the truth in front of you." James whipped out the stopwatch, the clock dangling from its golden chain. "When you do, you know where to find me Asriel."

Frisk and Asriel both found that they were no longer able to move. However, James was casually walking away, winking before leaving the room. The magic holding them in place released. As soon as that happened, Frisk rushed over to the leaving intruder. They were surprised to find that there was no trace of him ever being there…

Quickly, Frisk ran back into the Guest Bedroom to make sure Asriel was still there. Thankfully, he was still sitting there. His head was buried in his knees as he tried to maintain himself. Frisk had just screwed up, hadn't they? They had just pushed away someone Asriel was trying to care about…

Silently, they tried sitting next to him. Asriel paid no attention to the human within his personal space. The dead silence that passed between the two for minutes on end was horrible. The tension could be cut with a knife. Neither wanted to talk to the other. Asriel just felt alone again, while Frisk didn't want to mess up any further. The two sat together, wondering when the other would finally speak...

Finally, after maybe an hour of that awful silence, Frisk gathered up Courage to speak. "Asriel…" They tried to get his attention. The monster next to them still averted his gaze. "I-I'm sorry about that… I shouldn't have snapped…" Frisk internally cursed at themselves for not finding better words to say. That was the best they could do? It had been multiple timelines and they were still bad at speaking…

"Frisk?" The human flinched. They had no clue they would actually get a response. Normally, he'd stay silent whenever they would try to talk to him… "Don't you have anything better to do?" Those words… the last words Asriel always said to Frisk at the end of a True Pacifist Run… They cut through their heart like a knife. The fury in Asriel's eyes shone with vibrance. "Why can't you just leave me alone? I WANT to be alone Frisk. I just want to have time to think without anyone trying to "help" me."

"Asriel please I-"

They were interrupted, Asriel nearly in tears. "You aren't helping. So just go away!"

Frisk recoiled in shock. Yet, they wouldn't end this now. They had come to far for their brother to be taken over with sadness. "I won't go away Asriel. I CAN'T leave you!" The human's determination grew. "Asriel, there are no more resets. I finally got you back… You finally are able to live with a soul… If I lose you…" Frisk gulped, fighting back tears. "If I lose you… I won't be able to bring you back. It… it would kill me too…" But… that wasn't it? Was it? "That's not just it… Remember when we fought? You said you cared about me more than anyone else… I… I care about you too Asriel. We all do…"

Both of the children were crying. Asriel's head was lowered in shame. "Frisk I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't h-" He was stopped when Frisk threw their arms around him. His shirt was being soaked in the tears of his human sibling. "I… I promise I w-will never leave you…" He managed to stutter out. That was all Frisk needed as a smile crept on their face…

"You think the kids are alright?" Sans asked, cocking his skull to the side. He wasn't feeling too well about leaving them alone, but Papyrus and Undyne were right next door if anything went wrong. Currently, nothing had been heard of yet.

Toriel was silently walking beside him. She was still in deep regret about what had been said before. No one would have guessed that would have come from her. The words just spilled out. She believed she didn't deserve to be forgiven after what she said. "Sans? Do you think I'm a horrible mother?" She asked, alluding from the previous question.

As expected, Sans blew it off. "C'mon Toriel, you did all you could… even throwing your life on the line to free his soul…" His eye sockets shut. "And I'm sure the prince will have to forgive you eventually. I mean, you're his mother." Seeing as they were at the entrance to the Cafeteria where the PTA would be held, Sans decided to end the conversation. "We can talk about this after the chaos settles…"

Toriel nodded, preparing for the worst. This would be horrible for both of them. As soon as they walked in, the chatter of multiple moms met their ears, or lack thereof. Taking some seats in the front of the Cafeteria, they uneasily looked around. Sans spotted the one who Toriel described as Linda. The thing that gave her away was the one hundred layers of makeup.

She seemed like the type that would be an annoyance. His pupils scanned towards the to-do list of the day. He rolled his eyes. First they'd discuss a uniform… Then a science fair which would come the next month. After that a Christmas play which should have been planned a long time ago for preparations. Then, the one that Sans was going to have fun with. The Monster/Human Classroom arrangements.

After a minute or so, the Cafeteria quieted down at Linda's signal. Many parents groaned in agony. "Welcome to the PTA everyone." Linda began, that fake smile stretching across her face. "We will try to keep this quick to let's get to business. First of all… we are here to discuss a uniform."

Seemed formal so far… A woman near the front, named Helen, raised her hand. Linda motioned to her to speak. It was almost like a business or something… "That's a wonderful idea Helen! A boys and girls uniform! Maybe a collared shirt with khaki shorts for the boys and a plaid dress for the girls?"

"There are multiple problems with that." Sans hoped he wouldn't have to step in much, but this was obviously bias.

Linda's eye twitched. Although, she tried to keep a strong composure. "And, who are you?" She asked in disgust.

Definitely a racist. "Sans, Sans the Skeleton." He winked, keeping his left eye open.

"Well Mr… Sans. Uniforms help show that you are part of the school. It helps to not have everyone so diverse and to think they are different…" She spoke, Helen nodding in agreement.

"Wow, just wow. I really hoped this wouldn't be one of those generic PTA meetings with stupid moms, but this is ridiculous." He jeered as the other moms gasped in surprise. "Let me explain. Some kids will be gender neutral. Wearing one set of clothes for one gender would ruin that."

"Oh please, you're only saying that for that child of yours." A shrill voice behind him dared to say that about Frisk. She dared. "She needs to just be normal and accept who she is."

"Frisk doesn't classify as any gender, and I don't think they are the only one." His pupils began shrinking. "Even so… some monsters are different shapes and sizes. They need specific clothing to be able to actually be able to use it." His grin widened. "Also, I don't think they make a size for a child as fat as Linda's."

"You little-"

Sans grabbed a marker with his blue magic, drawing a large X over uniforms on clothing. "Nope, this school is for both humans and monsters. You have to make it accomadable for both."

If looks could kill, Sans would have been dust. She was livid, but continued on. All that makeup couldn't hide the deep red her face had turned to. "Alright… next is the science fair…"

The woman who had spoken behind Sans before stood up. Her name was Diana. "I would like to file a complaint about the science fair. It should be magic prohibited. It is unfair to our human students."

Sans knew what was going on now. Those other two women were Linda's henchmen. "Aw c'mon Diana. You expect them to work on Dianasaurs then?"

Her face flushed red. Trying to ignore his awful pun, she continued talking. "No, but magic isn't necessarily science yet, is it?"

She had a point. But, that didn't mean students couldn't study magic. Not to mention… "Actually Diana, the study of magic could be considered science. We could come to a compromise…" She seemed interested. "The students can only show how the magic works. They can't just make an item and call it science."

Everyone around the room nodded in agreement, including Diana. Linda wasn't so happy… using his blue magic again, he crossed that off the board. The meeting continued like this for the next two objectives. It wasn't until in the middle of the last topic when Sans lost it.

Toriel had stood up, completely disagreeing with this notion. "Excuse me, but separating humans and monsters just worsens the relationship. Bonding between the two would be better enforced if they are around each other and learn more about the other."

"Then explain why my child was attacked yesterday!" Linda asked, referring to James. "My child was minding his own business when a monster shocked him and terrified him. We can't have that around here."

"I'll have you know that your son was bullying my child!" Toriel yelled, anger rising in her voice. "That monster who showed up was unrelated to the school and Sans is… actually trying to find him. If anyone should be punished here it is your son for attacking mine!"

"You are so quick to defend your child aren't you?" Linda had found Toriel's weak spot. "I know my child better than you do. After all, my child hasn't died yet because I actually know him and know what he likes and what he loves to do…" A smirk formed on her face.

"Don't you dare talk about my child like that." Her voice became deathly and cold. "I-I tried my best. I tried to save him."

"And you failed?" Linda let out a small laugh. "Doesn't change that he's d-"

"Don't you say one more word." Sans's left eye was shining blue. The Gaster Blaster resting behind him, waiting for an order was menacing as it is. Linda recoiled, regretting her life choices. "It's not her fault he died. It's mine. You have no right to even talk about her child like that. And if you say one more thing about him…" His eye sockets disappeared. "Bad doesn't even begin to describe the time you will be having..."

The threat hung in the empty air. Immediately, the meeting was dismissed with no further conversation. Finally, Sans lowered his tensed shoulders, still in anger. Toriel was on the verge of tears after being forced to realize how much she failed at being a mother. She had lost nine children, one of which came back, another which died a second time. She felt her sins crawling on her back.

Not being able to hold back anymore, she finally released her tears, Sans trying to comfort her all the while.

Running…

James kept running up Mt. Ebott, trying to get as far away as possible.

Faster…

His breath grew ragged, his fur clumping from sweat.

Stronger…

He didn't have much time before it happened. This whole time, he'd been fighting that demon inside… but now?

LOVE…

He had given that demon exactly what it needed to unleash its full power. James could try to contain it, but he was far too unstable without his partner...

EXP…

He had made it to the top of Mt. Ebott. He looked at his hand as it was slowly alternating between his and a dark black.

Power…

A loud, unauthorized giggle sounded from him. His whole body began turning black, then to his own. The demon would get him eventually. He couldn't fight it forever. The red smile that was on the alternate face was even more terrifying than the one Chara had been able to do during a genocide route.

=D

It was amused with his struggle...

He collapsed to the ground, someone managing to catch him. It was his friend. Somehow, they had managed to find him. "H-Hey, dammit… stay with me!" Receiving no response, they began pulling him off, trying to get him out of the open. "Sorry for this." The cloaked human raised their hand, a red aura glowing from their palm. They struck down on James's chest, the monster becoming completely still.

He would be completely knocked out for a few hours, but at least that thing wouldn't escape in that time. The human sat down, keeping close watch for any intruders. Hopefully no one saw that display...

Well this is getting confusing, huh?

WE ARE ALMOST AT 100 REVIEWS :O

So you guys, one more thing I need to say. I'm gonna move in the next year (maybe) or so. That means, I'll be looking at houses with my parents and updates may slow down with having to juggle school along with it.

And, I have to ask you guys for some advice. My parents... don't exactly know I WRITE fanfiction. But, they think I play video games a lot. I don't know how to bring this up with them, because if I tell them, their reaction would be "Ew, you're such a nerd. It's not getting you anywhere." And honestly... I don't wanna keep this hidden forever. It sucks being forced to act like I don't write this. Because I love doing it. I'm scared that if I tell them, I won't be able to do it anymore. What do you guys think?

Reviews are encouraged!

BadDRUMMERboy15 contemplates life